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CNN Live At Daybreak

President Bush's Remarks On Terrorism Attack

Aired September 12, 2001 - 07:41   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: About this time yesterday, President Bush was in Sarasota, Florida at a school talking about his education plan. To say what a difference a day makes is a bit trite, I guess. The president last night in a very stern speech from the Oval Office, brief but stern, said he would make no distinction between the terrorists and those who harbor them.

Joining us now from the north lawn of the White House is CNN's Kelly Wallace -- very pointed remarks, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Miles, and we're likely to hear more from the president today. He has invited a bipartisan group of congressional leaders to meet with him later this morning, part of the message there to show that Democrats, Republicans all united behind the administration, that the work of the government will go on and that the U.S. will do everything possible to find those responsible for these terrorist acts. And as you noted, Miles, the president saying that this administration not only holding those who committed these acts responsible, but those who harbor them or provide them some safe haven.

To give you a sense of what's happening here, Miles, President Bush in the Oval Office at this hour. He arrived there just shortly after 7:00 a.m. Vice President Cheney, in fact, just pulling into the White House driveway here. The president expected to begin his day meeting with his national security team, getting the latest on the investigation and the search and rescue efforts.

Another big message coming from this White House today is that the U.S. government is doing everything it possibly can to assist with recovery operations in New York, in Pennsylvania and, of course, outside Washington, D.C. at the Pentagon in Virginia.

In fact, the president will be calling on Americans to do their part and donate blood. There will be a blood drive here at the White House, the blood mobile pulling into the White House driveway shortly, around 7:00 a.m. The president and the first lady expected to drop by that blood drive this afternoon, that for government workers, reporters, photojournalists to step in and donate blood.

And Miles, as you know, of course, pictures really speak volumes on a day like this. I want to show you something our photographers shot probably around 6:30, 6:45 this morning. You can see flags at half staff above the White House, above the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, a message of the tragedy facing this country on this day. You obviously also see the tight security around the White House, around the perimeter, obviously very much concerned about what happened yesterday.

And as you noted, Miles, the president going before the American people last night, obviously a very difficult moment for the president. He was to comfort the nation but he also sent a message to those responsible for what he called acts of mass murder. Here is what Mr. Bush said in its entirety.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Good evening.

Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors.

Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.

The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet, unyielding anger.

These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation.

Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.

America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world and no one will keep that light from shining.

Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature, and we responded with the best of America, with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.

Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our government's emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and it's prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington, D.C. to help with local rescue efforts.

Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks.

The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight and will be open for business tomorrow.

Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for business as well.

The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts.

I've directed the full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.

I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance.

America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world and we stand together to win the war against terrorism.

Tonight I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: ``Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me.''

This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before and we will do so this time.

None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.

Thank you. Good night. And God bless America.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: That was President Bush from the Oval Office last night. Miles, U.S. officials not commenting publicly about who they believe could be responsible for this. But senior administration officials briefing key members of Congress last night saying they are confident the evidence pointing to affiliates of Osama bin Laden -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: CNN's Kelly Wallace at the White House underscoring the president, underscoring the difficult balance, of course, between political symbolism and security yesterday had to take a circuitous route back to Washington, stopping at two air force bases along the way, ultimately getting back to the Oval Office.

Congress today will, in fact, convene, opening up a session, the political symbolism very ripe there

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